Reformed fuel oil, process for producing the same and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A reformed fuel oil capable of enhancing combustion efficiency. The reforming is performed by circulating a fuel oil required times through a primary reform treatment in which the fuel oil is caused to undergo not only flow by centrifugal force but also meandering flow made while repeating flow split and confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the centrifugal force flow and a secondary reform treatment in which the fuel oil having undergone the primary reform treatment is caused to undergo not only flow by pressure feed force but also meandering flow made while repeating flow split and confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the pressure feed force flow.

The present invention relates to a reformed fuel oil, a process for continuously producing the reformed fuel oil, and an apparatus therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As one aspect of the apparatus for producing the reformed fuel oil, there is the one comprised of a cylindrical far infrared radiation ceramics member made of a net-like continuous porous members; and a far infrared radiation cylindrical ceramics having a hollow shape at an inside penetrating the ceramics member (see Patent Document 1, for example).

The apparatus for producing the reformed fuel is intended to enhance combustion efficiency by a fluid fuel being activated by subjecting it to far infrared radiation.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 11-106762

However, the aforementioned apparatus for producing the reformed fuel fails to attain a satisfactory effect, although combustion efficiency is enhanced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides the following reformed fuel oil.

(1) The invention is directed to a reformed fuel oil, and comprises: a primary reform treatment of allowing a fuel oil to flow by means of a centrifugal force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating diversion and convergence in a direction crossing a direction of the flow; and a secondary reform treatment of performing reform-treatment by means of a fluid reformer allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed to flow by means of a pressure-feed force and allowing the fuel oil to flow in a meandering state while repeating diversion and convergence in a direction crossing the direction of the flow.

The fluid reformer disposes a disk-shaped second reforming element opposed to a disk-shaped first reforming element forming a flow inlet of a fluid at a center part and configures a reforming unit forming a reforming flow path for flowing and reforming the fluid in-flow from the flow inlet in a radiation direction between the reforming elements.

In a casing main body formed in a cylindrical shape, the reforming unit is disposed in plurality at intervals in an axial direction thereof, forming a space for shaping a flow path by the adjacent reforming units and the casing main body.

In the space for shaping the flow path, disk-shaped collecting-flow-path forming elements are disposed so that the fluid having passed through the reforming flow path outflows substantially equally from a full circumference of a flow outlet opening like a ring; and a collecting-flow path flowing and gathering to an axial core side of the casing main body is formed.

In the collecting-flow-path forming element, an expansive guide body stabilizing a flow-path sectional area is formed at one side face of the element main body, and the guide member is formed in a substantially fan-like, planar shape from an outer circumferential arc face formed on an arc face of a curvature which is identical to that of an outer circumferential edge of the element main body. A pair of side faces are connected to each other extend from both ends of the outer circumferential arc face is to a center side of the element main body, and an abutment face is formed in a plane which is in parallel to the element main body.

The guide member is disposed in plurality at equal intervals at a circumferential part of the element main body in a circumferential direction thereof, and is formed so that an outer circumferential arc face of each of the guide members is flush with an outer circumferential end face of the collecting-flow-path forming element and an outer circumferential end face of the second reforming element. The side faces opposed to each other, of the adjacent guide members, are parallel to each other in a circumferential direction, allowing a groove portion width of a groove portion, which is formed of side face of the adjacent guide members and a rear face of the element main body, to be substantially equal to another one from a circumferential side to a center side, of the collecting-flow-path forming element.

(2) The invention discloses that a secondary reform treatment is performed by adding a slight amount of air to the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed.

The invention discloses a process for producing reformed fuel oil, comprising: a primary reform treatment step of performing reform treatment, allowing a fuel oil to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a centrifugal force; and a secondary reform treatment step of by means of the fluid reformer set forth above, performing reform treatment, allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed in the primary reform treatment step, to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a pressure-feed force.

The invention is directed to the process for producing reformed fuel oil, wherein a slight-amount-of-air feed step of feeding a slight amount of air is provided prior to the secondary reform treatment step.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the invention provides the following apparatus for producing reformed fuel oil.

The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing reformed fuel oil, comprising:

a first reform treatment section of performing reform treatment, allowing a fuel oil to flow by means of centrifugal force and flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence in a direction crossing the direction of flow; and a secondary reform treatment section, which is the fluid reformer set forth above of performing reform treatment, allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed in the primary reform treatment section, to flow by means of a pressure-feed force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence in a direction crossing the direction of flow.

The invention is directed to the apparatus for producing reformed fuel oil, wherein a slight-amount-of-air feed section is provided between the primary reform treatment section and the secondary treatment section.

In the present invention, a fuel oil is uniformly reformed in at least two steps by means of a primary reform treatment of minimizing fine impurities in the fuel oil and a secondary reform treatment of further ultra-miniaturizing the fine impurities in the fuel oil, so that: the fuel oil can be completely combusted; and a consumption amount of the fuel oil, required for a required combustion temperature, can be reduced. As a result, combustion efficiency can be enhanced. The fuel oils used here include: a gasoline; a fuel oil for aircraft turbine (a fuel oil for jet aircraft); a lamp oil; a light oil; a fuel oil for gas turbine; and a heavy oil or the like, the present invention is effective to reform a heavy oil in particular, and even a waste oil can be formed as a reformed waste oil which can be effectively utilized.

Further, in the case where a secondary reform treatment is performed by adding a slight amount of air to the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed, the slight amount of air can also be uniformly mixed with a fuel oil while very fine air bubbles are formed in the secondary reform treatment (the reformed fuel oil comprising very fine air bubbles can be formed). For example, a slight amount of air or fine impurities can be formed as air bubbles or impurities particles whose particle size (average particle size) under the volume under screening of 75% or less is at least 4 microns or less and whose mode diameter in 1 micron to 4 microns is 2 microns. Since the air bubbles are reduced in buoyancy, they are dispersed and stabilized in reformed fuel oil. Furthermore, an increase of a gas-liquid interfacial area (combustion surface area) due to very fine air bubbles can be achieved. In this case, there exist air bubbles whose diameters are approximately 1 micron and which are ultra-miniaturized to the nano-level or submicron level, and more increase of the gas-liquid interfacial area (combustion surface area) and an increase of surface activity (similar to the function of surfactant) due to electrostatic polarization can be achieved by such very fine air bubble. Moreover, the oxygen in the air bubbles whose diameter is approximately 1 micron, and further, which is ultra-miniaturized to the nano-level or submicron level, is prone to be dissolved in fuel oil, thus making it possible to form a reformed fuel oil containing a relatively large amount of the dissolved oxygen. As a result, the present invention can provide a reformed fuel oil and a process and apparatus for producing the same, which is capable of remarkably reducing the amount of fuel consumption and enhancing combustion efficiency more remarkably. The nano-level used here designates a level of less than 1 micron. The submicron level designates a level of 0.1 micron to 1 micron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual explanatory view showing a configuration of an apparatus for producing a reformed fuel oil, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph depicting an experimental result.

FIG. 3 is a bar graph depicting the experimental result.

FIG. 4 is a time-combustion temperature characteristic graph.

FIG. 5 is a bar graph depicting a fuel consumption quantity with elapse of time.

FIG. 6 is a combustion temperature bar graph of each reformed fuel oil.

FIG. 7 is a particle size distribution map.

FIG. 8 is a magnified microgram in place of the drawing.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a reformer main body of a rotary fluid reformer.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an upward rotor of the reformer main body.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a downward rotor of the reformer main body.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view showing a state of communication between recessed portions for forming a flow path, which are formed at the upward and downward rotors, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a sectional explanatory view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the downward rotor.

FIG. 15 is a sectional plan view showing a fluid reformer of a first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an exploded sectional plan view showing a reforming unit of the fluid reformer of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17A is a right side view showing a first reforming element of the reforming unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17B is a left side view showing the same.

FIG. 18A is a left side view showing a second reforming element of the reforming unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 18B is a right side view showing the same.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the reforming unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state of the reforming unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing an abutment state of recessed portions formed in each reforming element of the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a sectional plan view showing a fluid reformer of a second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an exploded sectional plan view showing a reforming unit of the fluid reformer of the second embodiment.

FIG. 24A is a right side view showing a collecting-flow-path forming element of the reforming unit of the second embodiment.

FIG. 24B is a left side view showing the same.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state of the reforming unit of the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory right side view of the collecting-flow-path forming element, showing the assembled state of the reforming unit of the second embodiment.

FIG. 27A is a left side view showing a second reforming element modified as to the second embodiment.

FIG. 27B is a landscape view of a front view showing the same.

FIG. 27C is a right side view showing the same.

FIG. 28 is a sectional plan view showing a fluid reformer of a third embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an exploded sectional plan view showing a reforming unit of the fluid reformer of the third embodiment.

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state of the reforming unit of the third embodiment.

FIG. 31A is a left side view showing a lead-out side element of the reforming unit of the third embodiment.

FIG. 31B is a right side view showing the same.

FIG. 32 is a sectional front view showing a fluid reformer of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an exploded sectional plan view showing a reforming unit of the fluid reformer of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state of the reforming unit of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 35A is an explanatory right side view of an assembled state of a reforming unit, showing an exemplary modification of the collecting-flow-path forming element.

FIG. 35B is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 35A.

FIG. 35C is a sectional view taken along the line of FIG. 35A.

FIG. 36 is a sectional explanatory side view showing an exemplary modification of the fluid reformer of the first embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a sectional explanatory side view showing another exemplary modification of the fluid reformer of the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERAL

-   A Apparatus for producing reformed fuel oil -   1 Communication pipe -   2 Pressure-feed pump -   3 Suction pipe -   4 Oil feed section -   11-11E Fluid reformer -   24 Reforming unit -   24 a Gap-shaped opening (flow outlet) -   Reforming flow path

Collecting flow path

-   First reforming element

Flow inlet

-   Second reforming element -   35 a, 41 a Rectangle section (diverting section and/or converging     section)

Guide member

lead-out side element

Discharge port

Rotary fluid reformer

Spacer

Complex flow generating member

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to the drawings.

Description of an Apparatus for Producing Reformed Fuel Oil

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of an apparatus A for producing reformed fuel oil, according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “the apparatus”). The apparatus A, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with: a rotary fluid reformer 80 as a primary reform treatment section for performing reform treatment while preliminarily uniformly stirring a fuel oil; and a stationary fluid reformer 11 as a secondary reform treatment section for further performing reform treatment of a primarily treated liquid treated to be reformed by means of the rotary fluid reformer 80. In addition, both of the reformers 80, 11 are connected in communication with each other via a communication pipe 1 as a communication section, so as to pressure-feed a predetermined amount of primary treatment liquid from the rotary fluid reformer 80 to the stationary fluid reformer 11 by means of a pressure-feed pump which is provided at a midcourse part of the communication pipe 1. A proximal end part of a suction pipe 3 as a slight-amount-of-air intake section (slight-amount-of-air feed section) for intake of a slight amount of air is connected in communication with the midcourse part of the communication pipe 1 that is positioned at the suction inlet side (immediate upstream side) of the pressure-feed pump 2, and an opening amount adjustment valve (not shown) is mounted to be adjustable in opening amount, at a distal end part of the suction pipe 3, so as to be able to open the distal end part in the ambient air appropriately by the opening amount. A valve section such as a check valve or an open/close valve can be arranged at an appropriate site of the communication pipe 1. In addition, the pressure-feed pump 2 can be arranged at another appropriate site of the communication pipe 1.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes an oil feed section for feeding a predetermined amount of fuel oil to the rotary fluid reformer 80 by means of an oil feed pump or the like. Reference numeral 6 designates combustion equipment, such as a burner, which is connected in communication with the stationary fluid reformer 11 via the communication pipe 1 so as to pressure-feed and supply the reformed fuel oil, which is a finally treated liquid treated to be reformed by means of the stationary fluid reformer 11, to combustion equipment 6 by means of the pressure-feed pump 2 that is provided at the midcourse part of the communication pipe 1. The excessive reformed fuel oil that is obtained at the time of feeding the above reformed fuel oil to the combustion equipment 6 is diverted from the communication pipe 1, the diverted fuel oil is reserved in a reservoir section (not shown), and the reserved fuel oil is appropriately circulated from the reservoir section to the communication pipe 1 so as to be able to be fed to the combustion equipment 6. At this time, the reformed fuel oil is circulated from the reservoir section to the upstream side of the stationary fluid reformer 11, so as to be able to be fed to the combustion equipment 6 after reform treatment of a plurality of times has been performed by means of the stationary fluid reformer 11.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 designates a first three-way valve; reference numeral 13 designates a second three-way valve; reference numeral 14 designates a return pipe interposed between the first and second three-way valves 12 and 13, wherein both of the first and second three-way valves 12 and 13 are manipulate to be switched as required, whereby a reform-treated liquid is circularly fed to the rotary fluid reformer 80 and the stationary fluid reformer 11, and reform treatment is then repeated a predetermined number of times (10 times, for example) or for a predetermined period of time (for 20 minutes, for example) so as to be able to feed a reformed fuel oil, which is a desired finally treated liquid, to the combustion equipment 6. A detailed description of the rotary fluid reformer 80 and the stationary fluid reformer 11 will be furnished later.

As the pressure-feed pump 2, there can be used a pump which is capable of transporting a gas-liquid mixture, i.e., a pump (“gas-liquid transport pump” available from NIKUNI Corporation, for example) which is capable of ensuring a stable discharge pressure and discharge flow rate at the time of pressure-feeding a reformed fuel oil which is a gas-liquid mixture fluid as well.

In addition, air (ambient air) can be taken from the suction pipe 3 into the communication pipe 1 by means of an ejector effect (a suction effect utilizing a pressure difference between a pressure in the communication pipe 1 and that in the suction pipe 3).

Further, the intake amount of a slight amount of air (a feed amount of a slight amount of air) for a fuel oil can be appropriately set and adjusted according to the intake amount from the suction pipe 3 to the communication pipe 1 via an adjustment section such as the opening amount adjustment valve (not shown) or the suction amount of the pressure-feed pump 2. The intake amount of the slight amount of air (the feed amount of the slight amount of air) for a reformed fuel oil which is a finally treated liquid is preferable to be 0% to 3% of the volume of a fuel oil to be reformed (the intake quantity of the slight amount of air is 0% in the case where no air is taken from the suction pipe 3 by closing the opening amount adjustment valve and closing a distal end part of the suction pipe 3). A further preferable intake amount is from approximately 1% to approximately 2%, and the most preferable one is 2%. In the case where a desired amount of air cannot be suctioned at one time due to the ejector effect, a liquid treated to be reformed is circulated via a return pipe 14 as described previously, and air is in-taken over a plurality of times, whereby a reformed fuel oil, which is a desired finally treated liquid, can be formed. As a slight-amount-of-air intake section (slight-amount-of air feed section), there may be a structure which is capable of feeding a slight amount of air of several % into a primarily reform-treated liquid at the upstream side (fluid feed port side) of at least a secondary reform treatment section, and as described above, there may be a structure of feeding a slight amount of air by means of pressurization or the like, without being limitative to the structure of suctioning the slight amount of air from the suction pipe 3.

Next, a process for producing a reformed fuel oil by means of the aforementioned apparatus A (process for producing reformed fuel oil) will be described. That is, the process for producing reformed fuel oil, according to the present invention, includes: a primary reform treatment step of, by means of the rotary fluid reformer 80 which will be described later, performing reform treatment, thereby allowing a fuel oil to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a centrifugal force; and a secondary reform treatment step of, by means of the stationary fluid reformer 11 which will be described later, performing reform treatment, thereby allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed in the primary reform treatment step, to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a pressure-feed force, wherein a slight-amount-of air feed step of feeding a slight amount of air is provided as required prior to the secondary reform treatment step.

Afterwards, in the first reform treatment step, a fuel oil is treated to be reformed while it is uniformly stirred by means of the stationary fluid reformer 11, thereby forming a primarily reformed liquid, and in the secondary reform treatment step, the reformed liquid is treated to be reformed while it is uniformly stirred by means of the stationary fluid reformer 11, thereby forming a reformed fuel oil as the secondarily reformed liquid or the finally treated liquid.

In addition, in the slight-amount-of-air feed step, due to the ejector effect, a slight amount of air which is a predetermined amount is taken through the suction pipe 3 into a reformed liquid being fed from the rotary fluid reformer 80 to the stationary fluid reformer 11 through the communication pipe 1. Further, in the case where the slight amount of air has been flown therein, the air and the reformed liquid are subjected to gas-liquid reforming by means of the stationary fluid reformer 11, thereby continuously producing a reformed fuel oil comprising fine air bubbles. Moreover, the reformed fuel oil as the finally treated liquid is (appropriately) fed to the combustion equipment (burner) 6 or the like (via the reservoir section as required).

At this time, the fine impurities in the fuel oil is miniaturized (2 to 5 microns) by means of the rotary fluid reformer 80 as the primary reform treatment section, and the fuel oil is then formed to be a primarily reformed liquid obtained when the impurities are uniformly dispersed. The fed fine impurities in the primarily reformed liquid are ultra-miniaturized to the nano-level (less than 1 micron); and the slight amount of air in-taken is formed to be very fine air bubbles whose diameter is on the nano-level (less than 1 micron), making it possible to form a secondarily reformed liquid by uniformly mixing/dispersing these air bubbles. In the embodiment, the particle size (average particle size) of 75% in volume under screening of fine impurities and fine air bubbles is obtained as those of at least 4 microns or less (preferably 2 microns or less, or alternatively, further preferably 0.95 micron to 1.5 microns) and air bubbles or impurities of 2 microns are obtained in mode diameter of 1 micron to 4 microns. Further, in order to obtain these fine impurities or air bubbles of desired average particle sizes, as required, it is possible to employ a circulation step of circularly feeding a reform treatment liquid the rotary fluid reformer 80 and the stationary fluid reformer 11, and then, repeating reform treatment a predetermined number of times (10 times, for example) or for a predetermined period of time (for 20 minutes, for example) as described previously.

The fine impurities have their diameters of 1 micron to 200 microns in size; are rusts or corroded substances which can be mainly generated in distillation equipment, fluidized catalytic crackers, tanks, and pipes or the like; and contain iron oxide, iron sulfide, and iron chloride or the like. In addition, a variety of catalyses employed in oil refinery plant are finely grained. In the embodiment, those except the air contained in fuel oil are referred to as fine impurities. The fine impurities can be filtrated by applying a fuel oil to a fine fuel oil filter, whereas there is a disadvantage that filtration efficiency is not good. Therefore, only relatively large fine impurities (100 microns or more, for example) are filtrated, and as to smaller fine impurities, the fuel oil is treated to be reformed by miniaturizing, and further, ultra-miniaturizing them with a slight amount of air. In this manner, combustion efficiency of reformed fuel oil can be enhanced.

In addition, since the miniaturized air bubbles are reduced in buoyancy they are dispersed and stabilized in the reformed fuel oil. Moreover, an increase of a gas-liquid interfacial area (combustion surface area) due to very fine air bubbles can be achieved. In this case, there exist air bubbles whose diameter is approximately 1 micron, and further, which are ultra-miniaturized to the nano-level or submicron level, and more increase of the gas-liquid interfacial area (combustion surface area) and an increase of surface activity (similar to the function of surfactant) due to electrostatic polarization can be achieved by such very fine air bubbles. Further, the oxygen in the air bubbles whose diameter is approximately 1 micron, and further, which is ultra-miniaturized to the nano-level or submicron level is prone to be dissolved in fuel oil, thus making it possible to form a reformed fuel oil containing a relatively large amount of the dissolved oxygen. As a result, in the reformed fuel oil according to the embodiment, the fuel consumption amount can be significantly reduced and the combustion efficiency of fuel oil can be enhanced more remarkably.

Further, as an exemplary modification of the embodiment, a secondary reform treatment can also be performed immediately without need to perform the primary reform treatment step. Moreover, a circulation step for repeatedly circulating reform treatment can also be employed as that for repeatedly circulating it only in the secondary reform treatment step without need to return to the primary reform treatment step, after undergoing the primary reform treatment step to the secondary reform treatment step. In these cases, a slight amount of air may be in-taken or not. In the abovementioned apparatus A, a reformed fuel oil can be continuously and automatically produced by automatically, computer-controlling each functional section.

First Experimental Result

Next, a reformed fuel oil of A-heavy oil was produced using the abovementioned apparatus A. (A rotary fluid reformer 80, which will be described later, was used as a primary reform treatment section, and a stationary fluid reformer 11B, which will be described later, was used as a secondary reform treatment section.) Afterwards, as to combustion efficiency using the combustion equipment (Mechanical Gun Burner MGHA-161 available from Corona Corporation was used.) the produced reformed fuel oil was compared with A-heavy oil (unreformed) as a comparative example. Here, the reformed fuel oil of A-heavy oil having air taken therein (approximately 1% of the volume of A-heavy oil which is a liquid treated to be reformed) was defined as a first reformed fuel oil, and the reformed fuel oil of A-heavy oil free of air was defined as a second reformed fuel oil. In addition, reform treatment was performed by circularly repeatedly feeding the liquid treated to be reformed, to the rotary fluid reformer 80 and the stationary fluid reformer 11 for 15 minutes only. FIG. 2 is a graph depicting a change of a combustion temperature with elapse of time, obtained when the first and second reformed fuel oils and A-heavy oil (unreformed) are fed to, and are combusted by means of, the combustion equipment (burner), respectively. Graphic curve G1 depicts a change of a combustion temperature of the first reformed fuel oil by the solid line. Graphic curve G2 depicts a change of a combustion temperature of the second reformed fuel oil by the single-dotted chain line. Graphic curve G3 depicts a change of a combustion temperature of A-heavy oil (unreformed) by the chain line. Graphic curves G1 and G3 were obtained as temperature change graphs which are substantially identical to each other in shape, and there was almost no difference in temperature after the elapse of 35 minutes. Graphic curve G2 was obtained as a temperature change graphic curve which is analogous to graphic curves G1, G2, and there was a temperature difference of about 50 degrees in temperature after the elapse of 35 minutes. FIG. 3 is a bar graph depicting an amount of fuel consumption with the elapse of time, of the first and second reformed fuel oils and A-heavy oil (unreformed). The respective amounts of fuel consumption after the elapse of 35 minutes were: 7.67 L in the first reformed fuel oil; 8.29 L in the second reformed fuel oil; and 8.79 L in A-heavy oil (unreformed). As a result, it was found that: a reduction rate of the first reformed fuel oil relative to A-heavy oil (unreformed) is 12.7%; and that a reduction rate of the second reformed fuel oil relative to A-heavy oil (unreformed) is 5.6%.

Second Experimental Result

Next, an experiment similar to the first experiment was performed. Assuming that the amount of air to be taken in the first reformed fuel oil is 2% of the volume of A-heavy oil which is a liquid treated to be reformed is 2%, reform treatment was repeatedly performed circularly for 20 minutes. At this time, a predetermined amount of air was compressed and fed to the first reformed fuel oil. FIG. 4 is a graph (time-combustion temperature characteristic graph) depicting a change of a combustion temperature obtained when the first and second reformed fuel oils and A-heavy oil (untreated) are fed to, and are combusted by means of, the combustion equipment (burner), respectively. Graphic curve G1 depicts a change of a combustion temperature of the first reformed fuel oil by the solid line. Graphic curve G2 depicts a change of a combustion temperature of the second reformed fuel oil by single-dotted chain line Graphic curve G3 depicts a change of a combustion temperature of A-heavy oil (unreformed) by the chain line. The combustion time is 45 minutes. The combustion temperatures at combustion time intervals of 30 minutes to 45 minutes of the first and second reformed fuel oils and A-heavy oil (unreformed) was set to be substantially equal to each other (as a result, the combustion temperatures in combustion time intervals of 30 minutes to 45 minutes in graphic curves G1 to G3 are obtained as the temperature change graphic curves which are substantially identical to each other in shape), and the respective amounts of fuel consumption were compared with each other. FIG. 5 is a bar graph depicting amounts of fuel consumption with the elapse of time, of the first and second reformed fuel oils and A-heavy oil (unreformed). The respective amounts of fuel consumption after the elapse of 45 minutes were: 7.23 L in the first reformed fuel oil; 7.8 L in the second reformed fuel oil; and 8.37 L in A-heavy oil (unreformed). As a result, it was found that: a reduction rate of the first reformed fuel oil relative to A-heavy oil (unreformed) is 13.6%; and that a reduction rate of the second reformed fuel oil relative to A-heavy oil (unreformed) is 6.8%.

Third Experimental Result

Next, an experiment similar to the second experiment was performed. Assuming that: the amounts of air to be taken in the first reformed fuel oil are three patterns, i.e., 1% (1-1st reformed fuel oil), 2% (1-2nd reformed fuel oil), and 3% (1-3rd reformed fuel oil) of the volume of A-heavy oil which is a liquid treated to be reformed, reform treatment was circularly and repeatedly performed for 20 minutes. At this time, a predetermined amount of air was compressed and fed to the first reformed fuel oil. Further, after the start of combustion by means of the combustion equipment (burner), the average values of the combustion temperatures in 30 minutes to 45 minutes were measured. As a result, as depicted by the bar graph in FIG. 6, the combustion temperature was 872 degrees centigrade in A-heavy oil (unreformed); 912 degrees centigrade in the second reformed fuel oil; 919 degrees in centigrade in the 1-1st reformed fuel oil; 956 degrees centigrade in the 1-2nd reformed fuel oil; and 861 degrees centigrade in the 1-3rd reformed fuel oil, respectively. Moreover, it was found that reduction rates (after the elapse of 45 minutes) of the amounts of fuel consumption in reformed fuel oils relative to A-heavy oil (unreformed) were 7.5% in the 1-1st reformed fuel oil; 13.6% in the 1-2nd reformed fuel oil; 1.8% in the 1-3rd reformed fuel oil; and 6.8% in the second reformed fuel oil.

From the first to third experimental results described above, it was found that the first reformed fuel oil, in particular, in the 1-2nd reformed fuel oil (2% of the volume of A-heavy oil which is a liquid treated to be reformed) is the best in the reduction rate of the amount of fuel consumption. Further, it was found that the 1-1st reformed fuel oil (1% of the volume of A-heavy oil which is a liquid treated to be reformed) and the second reformed fuel oil (0% of the volume of A-heavy oil which is a liquid treated to be reformed) are also effective. Particle size distribution measurement of air bubbles or fine impurities in the 1-2nd reformed fuel oil was performed by means of SK Laser Micron Sizer LMS-2000e (trade name) available from SEISHIN Enterprise Co., Ltd. As a sample, the 1-2nd reformed fuel oil was measured by diluting it with the use of n-hexane (dispersant) at 5 times. The measurement result is shown as a particle size distribution (bar graph) in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7. the frequency of particle size was 14.85% which is a maximum value in distribution of 1.783 microns to 2.000 microns. Further, the particle size was 3.991 microns or less at 74.98% of the (volume) under screening. FIG. 8 is a microgram taken after the 1-2nd reformed fuel oil has been magnified at 1,500 times with the use of an optical microscope “Digital Microscope DMBA 200” (trade name) available from Shimadzu Rika Corporation. From FIGS. 7 and 8, it was found that a vast majority of the air bubbles or fine impurities in the 1-2nd reformed fuel oil is homogenized (treated to be reformed) in very fine particles (approximately 1 micron to less than 4 microns).

Hereinafter, the rotary fluid reformer 80 as the first reform-treatment section and the stationary fluid reformers 11 to 11E as the second reform-treatment section will be specifically described, respectively.

Description of a Rotary Fluid Reformer

FIG. 9 is a side view of a reformer main body 81 which is an essential part of the rotary fluid reformer 80. Basically, the rotary fluid reformer 80 is provided with: an accommodation tank (not shown) for accommodating untreated fluid to be reformed (fuel oil such as A-heavy oil or C-heavy oil in the present invention); the reformer main body 81 disposed in the accommodation tank, for reforming the mixture to be reformed to form a reformed liquid; and an electromotive motor (not shown) as a drive source for rotatably driving the reformer main body 81. Each of the distal end part(s) of the oil feed section 4 is connected in communication with an upper part of the accommodation tank, and a proximal end part of the communication pipe 1 is connected in communication with a lower part of the accommodation tank.

The reformer main body 81, as shown in FIG. 9, allows an upper end part of a rotary shaft 82 to be removably connected in conjunction with a drive shaft of the electromotive motor, allowing a pair of rotors 83, 84 to be coaxially disposed and integrally connected to a lower end part of the rotary shaft 82, with the rotors being vertically opposed to each other.

The upper rotor 83, as shown in FIG. 10, is formed in a honeycomb shape while recessed portions 88 for forming a flow path, which are hexagonal from the bottom view in a radial direction and a circumferential direction, are densely formed in order on a bottom face of a rotating main body 85 formed in a disk shape with its predetermined thickness, with the exception of a center part 86 and an outer circumferential part 87 with its predetermined width. The center part 86 of the rotating main body 85 is formed to be flush with a bottom face of the recessed portions 88 for forming flow paths, whereas the outer circumferential portion 87 is formed to be flush with a top face of the recessed portions 88 for forming flow paths. Further, a rotary shaft through hole 85 a is formed at a center position on the top face of the rotating main body 85 and a cylindrical connecting portion 85 b is integrally connected in communication with the rotary shaft through hole 85 a, on the top face of the rotating main body 85.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the downward rotor 84 opens while a flow inlet 90 as an flow inlet section is perforated in a vertical direction at the center part of the rotating main body 89 formed to be substantially identical to the abovementioned rotating main body 85 in size, i.e., in thickness and outer diameter. Further, on the top face of the rotating main body 89, with the exception of the outer circumferential portion 91 with its predetermined width, recessed portions 92 for forming flow paths, which are hexagonal from the bottom view in a radial direction and a circumferential direction, are densely formed in sequential order in a honeycomb shape. A boss section 89 b having a rotary shaft through hole 89 a is disposed at the center position of the rotating main body 89, i.e., at the center position of the flow inlet 90; and a boss section 89 b is connected via a connecting piece 89 c to an inner circumferential edge part of the rotating main body 89 forming the flow inlet 90.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, both of the rotors 83, 84 are opposed to each other, allowing both of the rotary shaft through holes 85 a, 89 a to be connected in coincidence with each other in a vertical direction in an overlapped manner. Reference numeral 82 c designates a male screw portion formed at a lower end part of the rotary shaft 82; reference numerals 82 d, 82 e designate female screw portions; and reference numerals 82 f, 82 g designate washers. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, reference numeral 96 designates an upward screw hole; reference numeral 97 designates a downward screw hole; and reference numeral 98 designates a screw.

Moreover, the recessed portions 88, 92 for forming flow paths, which are formed in both of the rotors 83, 84, face to each other in a displaced state. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the center part of the adjacent recessed portions 88 for forming flow paths are positioned at the center part of one recessed portion 92 for forming a flow path, facing to another one; and the center part of the adjacent three recessed portions 92 for forming flow paths are positioned at the center part of one recessed portion 88 facing to another one. Between the recessed portions 88 and 92 for forming flow paths, a reforming flow path 93 is formed through which a fluid to be treated flows in a radiation direction while meandering so as to diverge (in a shear manner) from one recessed portion 88(92) for forming a flow path while it is sheared by two recessed portions 92(88) facing to each other, and then, converge (in a compressive manner) from two recessed portions 88(92) for forming a flow path while it is compressed in one recessed portion 92(88) for forming a flow path, facing to another one. Further, between the outer circumferential part 87 of the upper rotor 83 and the outer circumferential part 91 of the lower rotor 84, a flow outlet 94 opening over the outer circumferential edge is formed as a flow outlet section.

In this manner, as shown in FIG. 13, a pair of upward and downward rotors 83, 84 are rotated by means of an electromotive motor, a fluid R to be treated (which is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 18) inflows from a flow inlet 90 formed at the center part of the downward rotor 84. In the reforming flow path 93, the fluid diverges from one recessed portion 88(92) for forming a flow path to two recessed portions 92(88) for forming flow paths, facing to another one, or alternatively, converts from the two recessed portions 88(92) for forming flow paths in one recessed portion 88(92) for forming a flow path, facing to another one. Afterwards, the fluid flows in the radiation direction, and outflows from the flow outlet 94 while repeating diversion and confluence, and moreover, meandering.

Sequentially, the fluid R to be treated, having flown out of the flow outlet 94, flows smoothly from an upward direction to a downward direction along the interior face of a peripheral wall of an accommodation tank, and then, upward from the bottom face of the accommodation tank, so as to be flown (circulated) in the flow inlet 90 again.

In this way, the fluid R to be treated, having flown out of the flow inlet 90, flows through the reforming flow path 93, is flown out of the flow outlet 94, and then, is in-flown from the flow inlet 90 so that a circulation flow path of the fluid R to be treated, of flow inlet 90->reforming flow path 93->flow outlet 94->flow inlet 90 is formed. As a result, fine impurities (or air bubbles in some cases) are miniaturized while they are efficiently circulated, whereby fuel oil which is the fluid R to be treated can be reformed.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 9, 13, and 14, on the bottom face of the rotor 84, a plurality of inflow acceleration blades 99 (3 blades in the embodiment) are protruded at constant intervals in a circumferential direction; the inflow acceleration blades 99 have a working face 99 a shaped like a right-angled triangle and formed to be large in width, extending and protruding gently downward from the center of the stirring member 84 in the radiation direction. Reference numeral 99 b designates a tapered back face of the inflow acceleration blade 99; and reference numeral 99 c designates an end face of the inflow acceleration blade 99.

In this manner, the inflow acceleration blade 99 rotates integrally with the rotor 84, and the working face 99 a of the inflow acceleration blade 99 acts upon the fluid R to be treated, whereby: the flow of suctioning the fluid R to be treated at the side of the inflow hole 90 is generated at a position proximal to the outer circumference of the inflow hole 90; and the inflow of the fluid R to be treated, to the inflow hole 90, is accelerated. Therefore, even in the case where a highly viscous fluid, for example, “C” heavy oil, which is a fuel oil, and water are reformed, the resultant liquid mixture can be smoothly flown into the inflow hole 90, and reforming of the fluid R to be treated such as C-heavy oil, based upon backflow, can be efficiently performed.

Description of a Stationary Fluid Reformer

Hereinafter, a description will be given with respect to fluid reformers 11 to 11E of the first to fourth embodiments, as stationary fluid reformers (hereinafter, referred to as “fluid reformers”) for reforming a fluid to be treated (hereinafter, merely referred to as a “fluid”) such as gas and liquid (gas-liquid) or liquid and liquid (liquid-liquid).

Fluid Reformer 11 as the First Embodiment

The fluid reformer 11 of the first embodiment will be described referring to FIGS. 15 to 21. That is, the fluid reformer 11, as shown in FIG. 15, has a cylindrical casing main body 21, both ends of which open. Flanges 21 a, 21 b are formed at opening portions at both ends of the casing main body 21, and capping members 22, 23 of the casing main body 21 are removably mounted on the flanges 21 a, 21 b, respectively. Openings 22 a, 23 a, which are gateways of fluid R of the fluid reformer 11, are formed at the capping members 22, 23. In the embodiment, the opening of the capping member 22, positioned at the left side in FIG. 15, is employed as a fluid feed port 22 a, whereas the opening of the capping member 23, positioned at the right side in the figure, is employed as a fluid lead-out port 23 a.

In addition, plural sets of reforming units 24 for applying reform-treatment to a fluid (five sets in the embodiment) are accommodated in the casing main body 21 and an inner circumferential face of the casing main body 21 and an outer circumferential face of each of the reforming units 24 are brought into a gapless intimate contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 16, each reforming unit 24 is structured similarly, and is provided with two disk-shaped (substantially disk-shaped) members disposed in opposite to each other, more specifically, first and second reforming elements 30, 40 which are formed in the disk shape. Among the two first and second reforming elements 30, 40, the first reforming element 30 disposed at the fluid feed port side (upstream side) allows a flow inlet 32 for fluid R (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 15 or the like) to be formed in a penetrative state at the center part of the disk-shaped element main body 31.

Further, a thick circumferential wall portion 33 is formed to be protrusive at a downstream side all around the outer circumferential edge part of an element main body 31; and a recessed portion 34 having a circular opening is formed toward the downstream side by means of the element main body 31 and the circumferential wall portion 33. Reference numeral 31 a designates an upstream side face oriented toward the fluid feed port 22 a of the element main body 31 and reference numeral 31 b designates a downstream side face oriented toward the fluid lead-out port 23 a of the element main body 31 (which is opposite to a second reforming element 40).

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, at the downstream side face 31 b of the element main body 31, a plurality of recessed portions 35, opening shapes of which are regular hexagons, are formed in a gapless manner. A number of recessed portions 35 are formed in a so called honeycomb shape. Reference numeral 36 designates a through hole for screw employed to fixing the second reforming element 40 to the first reforming element 30 by means of screw-tightening.

As shown in FIGS. 16, 18A and 18B, among the two reforming elements, the second reforming element 40 disposed at the fluid lead-out side (downstream side) is smaller in diameter than the first reforming element 30. The diameter of the second reforming element 40 is smaller than that of the recessed portion 34 of the first reforming element 30, allowing the second reforming element 40 to be engaged into the recessed portion 34.

In addition, on an opposite face to the first reforming element 30, of the second reforming element 40, i.e., at the upstream side 40 a (opposite to the first reforming element) which is oriented toward the fluid feed port 22 a, like the element main body 31 of the first reforming element 30, a plurality of recessed portions 41, opening shapes of which are regular hexagons, are formed in a gapless state. Further, three protrusions 42 are formed on a surface of the downstream side face 40 b that is facially opposite to the upstream side face. Reference numeral 43 designates a screw hole formed to mount a female screw employed to fix the second reforming element 40 to the first reforming element 30 by means of screw-tightening.

Further, both of the reforming elements 30, 40 are assembled in the layouts as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Specifically, the second reforming element 40 is positioned in a recessed portion 34 of the first reforming element 30. At this time, the orientation of the second reforming element 40 is determined (see FIG. 20) so that opening faces of a number of honeycomb-shaped recessed portions 35 of the downstream side face 31 b of the first reforming element 30 abuts in a face-to-face state against those of a number of honeycomb-shaped recessed portions 41 of the upstream side face 40 a of the second reforming element 40. If the second reforming element 40 is oriented in this way, a face having the protrusion 42 formed thereon can be seen from the outside (see FIG. 19). In this state, the through hole 36 of the first reforming element 30 and the screw hole 43 of the second reforming element 40 are positionally aligned with each other, and these reforming elements are assembled by tightening them with a screw 44.

As shown in FIG. 19, the diameter of the second reforming element 40 is smaller in size than that of the recessed portion 34 of the first reforming element 30. However, it should be noted that there is a slight difference in diameter.

Therefore, upon assembling both of the reforming elements 30, 40, between an inner circumferential face 33 a of the circumferential wall portion 33 of the first reforming element and an outer circumferential end face 40 c of the second reforming element 40, a ring-shaped gap is formed as a discharge canal 24 a all around the outer circumferential end face of the second reforming element 40; and a dead end opening portion positioned at the downstream side of the discharge canal 24 a is a flow outlet for fluid, and is opened in a ring shape toward the downstream side.

The fluid fed to the flow inlet 32 of the first reforming element 30 passes through a reforming flow path 25 to be described later (see FIG. 15), and then, is discharged from this flow outlet. A discharge width “t” of the discharge canal 24 a is formed substantially equally in width all around there, and is formed in width of the order of 1/20 of the radius of the second reforming element 40 (more specifically, of the order of 2 mm) (see FIG. 21).

If the flow outlet of the discharge canal 24 a all around the outer circumference of the second reforming element 40 is formed substantially equally in width, a fluid can be discharged substantially equally all around it. Thus, dispersion of a fluid pressure hardly occurs, and a disadvantage is prevented such that a bias of the discharge amount of fluid occurs depending upon the position of the outer circumferential part of the reforming unit 24. If the bias of the discharge amount is prevented, a discharge canal resistance is lowed and the generation of a location in which the fluid pressure becomes locally high is prevented.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, the size of the discharge canal 24 a, i.e., the width “t” of a gap becomes substantially equal all around there. In this manner, the discharge canal resistance can be lowered more reliably, and the occurrence of a local high-pressure region, in particular, the occurrence of a local high-pressure region in the vicinity of the discharge canal 24 a can be prevented.

Hereinafter, a description will be given with respect to a correlation of a number of honeycomb-shaped recessed portions 35, 41, to be formed on the abutment-side face of each of the reforming elements 30, 40.

As shown in FIG. 21, abutment faces of both of the reforming elements 30, 40 abuts against each other while the rectangular portion 41 a of the recessed portion 41 of the second reforming element 40 is positioned at a center position of the recessed portion 35 of the first reforming element.

If these faces are thus abutted as each other, a fluid can be flown between the recessed portion 35 of the first reforming element 30 and the recessed portion 41 of the second reforming element 40. In addition, the rectangular portion 41 a is positioned where the rectangular portions 41 a of the three recessed portions 41 gather.

Therefore, a fluid is diverted to three discharge canals in consideration of a case in which the fluid flows from the side of the recessed portion 35 of the first reforming element 30 to the side of the recessed portion 41 of the second reforming element 40.

Namely, the rectangular portion 41 a of the second reforming element 40, which is positioned at the center position of the recessed portion 35 of the first reforming element 30, functions as a diverting portion for diverting a fluid into two ways. Conversely, the fluid having flown out of the two ways flows into one recessed portion 35, and is merged in consideration of a case in which the fluid flows from the side of the second reforming element 40 to the side of the first reforming element 30. In this case, the rectangular portion 41 a positioned at the center position of the second reforming element 40 functions as a converging portion.

In addition, the rectangular portion 35 a of the recessed portion 35 of the first reforming element 30 is positioned at a center position of the recessed portion 41 of the second reforming element 40 as well. In this case, the rectangular portion 35 a of the first reforming element 30 functions as the above-described diverting section or converging section.

In this manner, between the reforming elements 30 and 40 that are disposed in opposite to each other, there is formed a reforming flow path 25 (see FIG. 15) in which the fluid fed from a center flow inlet 32 in the axial direction of both of the reforming elements 30, 40 (casing main body 21) flows in the radiation direction (radial direction) of both of the reforming elements 30, 40, repeating diversion (in a shear shape) while being sheared and confluence (in a compressive shape) while being compressed.

In the course of fluid flowing through the reforming flow path 25, reform treatment is applied to the fluid (to be ultra-miniaturized to the nano-level). The fluid having passed through the reforming flow path 25 is then flown out of a flow outlet of the discharge canal 24 a opening in a ring shape toward the downstream side at the outer circumferential part at the rear side of the reforming unit 24 to the outside of the reforming unit 24.

As shown in FIG. 15, the fluid reformer 11 of the embodiment allows five reforming units 24 to be set up in the casing main body 21. When a plurality of reforming units 24 are set up, the protrusion 42 of the second reforming element 40 of the reforming unit 24 that is positioned at the upstream side abuts against the upstream side face 31 a (of the element main body 31) of the first reforming element 30 of the reforming unit 24 set up at the downstream side.

In this manner, a disk-shaped space is acquired as the one formed by means of the reforming units 24, 24, both of which are disposed adjacent to each other, and the casing main body 21; and a collecting flow path 26 is acquired for flowing the fluid having flown out of the flow outlet of the discharge canal 24 a to the flow inlet 32 of the reforming unit 24 at the downstream side through the disk-shaped space.

The protrusion 42 of the second reforming element 40 of the reforming unit 24 disposed at the most downstream side abuts against the capping member 23 at the downstream side of the casing main body 21.

In this manner, a disk-shaped space is acquired as the one formed by means of the reforming unit 24, the capping member 23, and the casing main body 21; and a collecting flow path 26 is acquired for flowing the fluid having flown out of the flow outlet 24 a of the reforming unit 24 at the most downstream side to the fluid lead-out port 23 a of a casing through the disk-shaped space.

Next, a description will be given with respect to a case of applying reform treatment to a fluid by employing the fluid reformer 11 configured as described above. Hereinafter, a description will be given by way of example of a case of applying reform treatment to a gas-liquid mixture fluid of water and air by means of the fluid reformer 11.

First, a pressure-feed pump 2 is actuated with a communication pipe 1 being connected to a fluid feed port 22 a and a fluid lead-out port 23 a, of the fluid reformer 11, thereby producing a gas-liquid fluid mixed by acquiring a predetermined amount of air as a gas in the treatment liquid that is primarily reformed at the primary reform treatment section, and then, feeding the fluid to the fluid lead-out port 23 a of the fluid reformer 11.

As shown in FIG. 15, the gas-liquid mixture fluid fed to the fluid reformer 11 is then flown into the flow inlet 32 of the first reform treatment element 30 of the first reforming unit 24 disposed at the most upstream side in the casing, and is fed to the reforming flow path 25 of the first reforming unit 24.

The gas-liquid mixture fluid fed to the reforming flow path 25 flows in the flow outlet 24 a formed at the outer circumferential side of the reforming unit 24 while repeating diversion and confluence. Namely, flowage occurs while being sheared in the course of repeating diversion and confluence; and thus, schematically, reform treatment is applied to the gas-liquid reforming fluid in the course of repeating diversion and confluence while flowage occurs in the radial-spreading direction from the center of the disk-shaped reforming unit 24 to the outer circumferential side. That is, in the gas-liquid reforming fluid, fine impurities and air bubbles are ultra-miniaturized (from the nano-level to the several-microns level). In particular, the air bubbles are homogenized.

The fluid having flown out of the flow outlet 24 a of the first reforming unit 24 flows through the collecting flow path 26 between the first reforming unit 24 and the second reforming unit 24 disposed at the downstream thereof, and is fed to the flow inlet 32 of the second reforming unit 24. The flow of the fluid in each of the reforming units 24 is similar to that of the fluid in the first reforming unit 24, a duplicate description of which is omitted here. A plurality of reforming units 24 are set up so that diversion while the fluid is sheared and confluence while the fluid is compressed are repeated, whereby fluid reforming treatment is applied to ultra-miniaturize and uniformize air bubbles or fine impurities more reliably.

In addition, the following treatment may be performed. In FIG. 1, a first three-way valve 12 is manipulated to be switched so that the fluid led out of the fluid lead-out port 23 a of the fluid reformer 11 flows into a return pipe 14 and a second three-way valve 13 is manipulated to be switched so that the fluid of the return pipe 14 flows into the communication pipe 1.

The above fluid is then circularly fed to the fluid reformer 11 through the return pipe 14. In this manner, fluid reforming treatment is applied further reliably, allowing further finer and uniformly-sized air bubbles to be generated in the fluid.

Further, after circulation during a required period of time, the first and second three-way valves 12, 13 are manipulated to be switched, and the treated fluid is then led out.

In this way, more reliable fluid reforming treatment can be applied, allowing finer and more uniformly sized, desired air bubbles to be generated in the fluid.

Here, a total number of diversions is determined depending upon: the number of recessed portions 35, 41 formed in reforming elements 30, 40; the number of reforming units 24 set up in the casing main body 21 of the fluid reformer 11; and the number of repetitions indicating how many times the fluid is circulated for the fluid reformer 11.

For example, a summed total number of diversions reaches 1,500 times to 1,600 times, if the recessed portions 35, 41 have hexagonal openings seen in a plan view, in the case where the first reforming element 30 shaped like three columns in which the numbers of chambers in the recessed portions are 12 chambers, 18 chambers, and 18 chambers (a total of 48 chambers) is superimposed on the second reforming element 40 shaped like two columns in which the numbers of chambers are 15 chambers and 15 chambers (a total of 30 chambers). The total number of diversions used herein designates the number of diversions at the diverting section of the reforming flow path 25 that is formed between the first reforming element 30 and the second reforming element 40.

Fluid Reformer 11A of the Second Embodiment

Next, a fluid reformer 11A of the second embodiment will be described referring to FIGS. 22 to 27. That is, unlike the reforming unit 24 of the first embodiment, the fluid reformer 11A is provided with a guide member 52 in the collecting flow path 26 in which the fluid having flown out of the flow outlet 24 a of the reforming unit 24A flows (see FIGS. 24A and 24B). The same constituent elements of the fluid reformer 11 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, a duplicate description of which is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 22, the reforming unit 24A of the fluid reformer 11A of the embodiment is provided with a collecting-flow-path forming element 50 which comprises a guide member 52 which is a member of stabilizing a flow-path sectional area of the collecting flow path 26, in addition to the first reforming element 30 and the second reforming element 40.

Among them, the second reforming element 40 is not provided with the protrusion 42, unlike the one of the first embodiment. Namely, a downstream side face 40 b, which is oriented toward the fluid lead-out port of the second reforming element 40, is formed in a planar shape. Other constituent elements are the same as those of the second reforming element 40 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 23, reference numeral 45 designates a through hole of a screw employed to fix the second reforming element 40 to the first reforming element 30 by means of screw-tightening.

As shown in FIGS. 24 A, 24B, and 26, a collecting-flow-path forming element 50 allows the guide member 52 to be provided at the circumferential edge part of the downstream side face 51 b which is one side of an element main body 51 formed in the same diameter as that of the second reforming element 40 and in a thin disk shape.

In addition, an upstream side face 51 a coming into facial contact with another one, which is oriented toward the second reforming element 40 while set up in the casing main body 21, is formed in a planar shape. Further, a plurality of protrusive guide members 52 are integrally formed at the circumferential edge part of the downstream side face 51 b oriented toward the fluid lead-out port 23 a.

The guide member 52 is a planar member formed to be substantially shaped like a fan from: an outer circumferential arc face 52 a formed on an arc face whose curvature is the same as that of the outer circumferential edge of the second reforming element 40; one pair of side faces 52 a, 52 b that is connected to be extended from both ends of the outer circumferential arc face 52 a to the center side of the element main body 51; and an abutment face 52 c formed as a plane being parallel to the element main body 51. An angle (apex angle) formed by one pair of the side faces 52 b, 52 b is set at 45 degrees, and an extended width of the side face 52 b is set to be substantially ⅓ of the radius of the element main body 51.

At the circumferential part of the element main body 51 of the embodiment, a total of eight guide members 52 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, the guide members 52 are formed so that: the outer circumferential arc face 52 a is flush with the outer circumferential end face of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 and that of the second reforming element 40; and the side faces 52 b, 52 b, which are opposite to each other, of the guide members 52 adjacent to each other, are parallel to each other in the circumferential direction.

Therefore, a groove portion 55 formed of the side faces 52 b, 52 b, of the guide members 52, 52 adjacent to each other, and the downstream side face 51 b, allow width W of the groove portion to be constant and equal from the circumferential side to the center side of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50. Reference numeral 53 designates a screw hole formed to mount a female screw employed to integrally fix the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 to the first reforming element 30 and the second reforming element 40 by means of screw-tightening.

The reforming units 24A comprising the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 are assembled as shown in FIG. 22.

First, like the first embodiment, the second reforming element 40 is assembled with the first reforming element 30, and the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 is disposed so as to be superimposed on the second reforming element 40 (see FIGS. 23 and 25).

At this time, a planar downstream side face 40 b of the second reforming element 40, which is oriented to the outside, is bought into facial contact with a planer upstream side face 51 a of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50.

A face having the guide member 52 of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 formed thereon is then oriented to the downstream side.

In this state, the through holes 36, 45 of the reforming elements 30, 40, respectively, and the screw hole 53 of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50, are positionally aligned, and these reforming elements are assembled after tightened with a screw 54.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, the fluid reformer 11A of the second embodiment allows five reforming units 24A to be set up in the casing main body 21. When a plurality of reforming units 24A is set up, the abutment face 52 c of the guide member 52 that is provided at the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 of the reforming unit 24A that is positioned at the upstream side abuts against the upstream side face 31 a of the first reforming element 30 of the reforming unit 24A that is positioned at the downstream side.

In this manner, a gap corresponding to the thickness of the guide member 52 is held between the reforming units 24A disposed adjacent to each other, and the collecting flow path 26 is acquired for flowing the fluid having flown out of the flow outlet of the discharge canal 24 a into the flow inlet 32 of the reforming unit 24A at the downstream side.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, in the collecting-flow-path forming element 50, the groove portion 55 that is formed between the guide members 52, 52 adjacent to each other becomes constant in its dimensional width, as described above.

Therefore, when the abutment face 52 c of the guide member 52 is brought into abutment against the upstream side face 31 a of the first reforming element 30 at the downstream side, the collecting flow path 26 that is formed between the groove portion 55 and the upstream side face 31 a of the first reforming element 30 becomes constant as to intervals at which the groove portions 55 are formed on a flow path cross section shaped like a elongated rectangle shape in the circumferential direction and from the outer circumferential side to the center side at which the flow path sectional area is in the direction of collecting flow. In addition, the guide members 52 are intended to rectify the flow of fluid. The guide members 52 are provided, whereby the fluid flows smoothly.

If the guide members 52 are not present, the collecting flow path 26 becomes greater in sectional area of the flow path, as the outer circumferential side approaches more, whereas the flow path becomes more rapidly smaller, as the center communicating to the discharge outlet approaches more. A structure in which the flow path sectional area rapidly increases or decreases causes a flow path resistance, or alternatively, causes the generation of a portion at which the fluid becomes locally high in pressure. If the flow path resistance increases, the fluid pressure becomes higher and the flow rate is lowered. In addition, if a high-pressure location is locally generated, the leakage of fluid occurs therefrom.

In this point of view, in the fluid reformer 11A of the embodiment, eight guide members 52 are provided at constant intervals in the circumferential direction at the circumferential edge part of the element main body 51; and eight groove portions 55 forming the collecting flow path 26 is formed in a radiation shape, allowing the flow path sectional area to be stabilized in the collecting flow path 26 from the outer circumferential side to the vicinity of the discharge outlet of the center part, which is the direction of collecting-flow.

Therefore, the fluid having flown out of the flow outlet of the ring-shaped discharge canal 24 a flows out of the outer circumferential edge part of the element main body 51 into the upstream side of the nearest one of the collecting flow paths 26 equally disposed in the circumferential direction. However, if the flow path sectional area of this collecting flow path 26 is stable up to the vicinity of the discharge outlet which is the downstream side, the generation of a location in which the flow path resistance is lowered, or alternatively, the fluid pressure becomes locally high is prevented.

In addition, in the second embodiment described so far, the guide members 52 are formed at the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 which is independent of the second reforming element 40, whereas as shown in FIG. 27, the guide members 52 may be formed integrally with the second reforming element 40.

In this case, there is no need for the element main body 51, and the miniaturization of the fluid reformer 11 can be achieved. In addition, the number of parts is reduced, thus facilitating assembling work. Easy maintenance in activities such as disassembling/assembling work is important, since there are quite a few opportunities of performing maintenance in equipment in which a flow path is comparatively narrow like the fluid reformer 11A of the embodiment.

Further, the guide members 52 that are included in the second reforming element 40 may also be employed as the protrusion 42 of the first embodiment. Therefore, there is an advantage that no protrusion needs to be provided aside from the guide members 52.

A process for producing air bubbles by employing the fluid reformer 11A of the second embodiment itself is similar to the case of generating air bubbles by employing the fluid reformer 11 of the first embodiment, a duplicate description of which is omitted here. This is also similar to the third embodiment which will be described hereinafter.

Fluid Reformer 11B of the Third Embodiment

Next, a fluid reformer 11B of the third embodiment will be described referring to FIGS. 28 to 31. The same constituent elements of the abovementioned fluid reformer 11A of the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, a duplicate description of which is omitted here.

Unlike the fluid reformer 11A of the second embodiment, the fluid reformer 11B of the third embodiment is provided with a lead-out side element 60 which is disposed in opposite to a collecting-flow-path forming element 50, as a constituent element of a reforming unit set up in a casing main body 21.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 29, a reforming unit 24B of the fluid reformer 11B of the third embodiment is provided with: the lead-out side element 60 in addition to the first reforming element 30, the second reforming element 40, and the collecting-flow-path forming element 50, of the second embodiment.

The first and second reforming elements 30, 40 are the same as those of the second embodiment. In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 of the embodiment is provided with a through hole 56 which is employed for the sake of screw-tightening in place of the screw hole 53 of the second embodiment. Other constituent elements are similar to those of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 29, a lead-out side element 60 allows a fluid discharge port 62 for fluid R (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 28 or the like) is formed in a penetrative state at the center part of a disk-shaped element main body 61.

In addition, a thick circumferential wall portion 63 is formed in a protrusive shape at the upstream side all around the outer circumferential edge part of the element main body 61, and a recessed portion 64 having a circular opening toward the upstream side is formed by means of the element main body 61 and the circumferential wall portion 63. Reference numeral 61 a designates an upstream side face (whose side is opposite to the collecting-flow-path forming element 50) of the element main body 61.

As shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, at an upstream side face 61 a of the element main body 61, a plurality of recessed portions 65 whose opening is shaped like a regular hexagon are formed in a gapless manner. A number of recessed portions 65 are formed in a so called honeycomb shape. Reference numeral 66 designates a screw hole employed to fix the lead-out side element 60 to the first reforming element 30 or the like by screw-tightening.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the lead-out side element 60 forms the element main body 61 or the circumferential wall portion 63 whose diameter is substantially equal to that of the element main body 31 or that of the circumferential wall portion 33, of the first reforming element 30, allowing end faces of the circumferential wall portions 63,33 to be opposed to each other in a face-to-face manner, via packing 67.

That is, the lead-out side element 60 is greater in size than the collecting-flow-path forming element 50. In addition, the diameter of the element main body 61 is greater than that of the element main body 51 so that the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 is accommodated to be engaged in the recessed portion 64. However, it should be noted that there is a slight difference in diameter.

Therefore, upon assembling both of elements 50, 60, between an outer circumferential end face 51 c of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 and an inner circumferential face 63 a of the circumferential wall portion 63 of the lead-out side element 60, a ring-shaped gap is formed as an inflow path 24 b all around the outer circumferential end face of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50; and a leading edge opening portion positioned at the upstream side of the inflow path 24 b is a flow inlet for fluid, and is opened in a ring shape toward the upstream side.

The inflow width of the inflow path 24 b is formed to be equal all around there, and is formed to be on the order of 1/20 of the radius of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50, for example (more specifically, on the order of 2 mm).

The inflow path 24 b is formed in diameter which is substantially equal to that of each of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 and the second reforming element 40. In the embodiment, this inflow path is formed in diameter and width which is substantially equal to that of an outflow path 24 a formed between the first and second reforming elements 30 and 40, and is disposed in opposite to each other in a face-to-face manner.

In addition, a flow outlet of the outflow path 24 a and an flow inlet of the inflow path 24 b are connected to each other, and a ring-shaped communication connecting path 68 is formed.

Moreover, in the communication connecting path 68, the flow outlet of the outflow path 24 a opening in the ring shape toward the downstream side all around there and the flow inlet of the inflow path 24 b opening in the ring shape toward the upstream side all around there are formed in proximity and face-to-face in a matched state, so that: a pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the outflow path 24 a->the inflow path 24 b->the collecting flow path 26 can be significantly lowered; the amount of treatment per a unit time can be increased; and fluid leakage from the packing 67 which is a sealing section can be reliably avoided.

The reforming unit 24B is assembled in the layout as shown in FIGS. 28 to 30. Specifically, the second reforming element 40 is disposed in the recessed portion 34 of the first reforming element 30, whereas the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 is disposed in the recessed portion 64 of the lead-out side element 60.

At this time, the orientation of the second reforming element 40 is determined so that opening faces of a number of honeycomb-shaped recessed portions 35 of the downstream side face 31 b of the first reforming element 30 abuts against that of a number of honeycomb-shaped recessed portions 41 of an upstream side face 40 a of the second reforming element 40 in a face-to-face state; and the orientation of each of the elements 30, 40, 50, 60 is determined so that opening faces of a number of honeycomb-shaped recessed portions 65 of the upstream side face 61 a of the lead-out side element 60 abuts against the abutment face 52 c of the guide member 52 of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 in a face-to-face state (see FIG. 29).

In this state, a through hole 36 of the first reforming element 30; a screw hole 45 of the second reforming element 40; a through hole 56 of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50; and a screw hole 66 of the lead-out side element are positionally aligned with each other; and are assembled by screw-tightening them with a screw 54.

At this time, the end faces of the circumferential wall portion 63 of the lead-out side element 60 and the circumferential wall portion 33 of the first reforming element 30 are brought into intimate contact with each other in a face-to-face state, via the packing 67; and a gap 24 a as a flow outlet and a gap 24 b as a flow inlet, which is to be formed in a ring shape inward of both of the circumferential wall portions 33, 63 (reforming unit 24B), are caused to communicate with each other in an opposite state.

As a result, the fluid having flown out of the flow outlet 24 a flows from the inflow path 24 b to the collecting flow path 26 that is formed between the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 and the lead-out side element 60.

In this way, the outflow path 24 a is formed all around an outer circumference of the second reforming element 40 and the inflow path 24 b is formed all around an outer circumference of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50, whereby fluid can be caused to outflow/inflow all around there, thus preventing a disadvantage such that a bias of the outflow amount of fluid occurs depending upon the position of the outer circumferential part of the reforming unit 24B.

The bias of the outflow amount is prevented, whereby a flow-path resistance is lowered, preventing the generation of a location in which the fluid pressure becomes locally high. In addition, in the embodiment, the sizes of the outflow path 24 a and the inflow path 24 b, i.e., the widths of gaps are substantially equal to each other all around there.

In this manner, the flow path resistance can be lowered more reliably, making it possible to prevent the generation of a local high-pressure area, in particular, the generation of a local high-pressure area in the vicinity of the flow outlet 24 a and the flow inlet 24 b.

In addition, with such a structure, a so called dead space in which fluid is prone to become stagnant partway of the fluid flow path is eliminated. If a dead space is present, fluid is prone to become stagnant in that space, and dispersion in quality of fluid reforming treatment (for example, the quality in the size of generated air bubbles or the like) is prone to occur.

In this point of view, in the embodiment, a dead space is minimized, the occurrence of such disadvantage is restrained to the minimum; uniform reform treatment can be applied depending upon the type of fluid; and air bubbles of more uniform sizes can be generated.

As described previously, the collecting flow path 26 (see FIG. 28) is formed between the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 and the lead-out side element 60 so that fluid flows from the inflow path 24 b to the collecting flow path 26.

The fluid flows into the fluid discharge port 63 (see FIG. 29) through the collecting flow path 26, and then, flows into the flow inlet 32 of the next reforming unit 24B or is led out from the fluid lead-out port 23 a of the capping member 23 of a casing.

In the collecting flow path 26, the fluid flows from the outer circumference side to the center side of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50. Guide members 52 are formed at the outer circumferential side of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50; and groove portions 55 are formed between the guide members 52 adjacent to each other. The dimensional widths of the groove portions 55 become constant, and the flow path sectional areas surrounded by the groove portions 55 and the upstream side face 61 a of the lead-out side element 60 become constant.

When the flow path sectional area is thus stable, the flow path resistance or pressure is stabilized, and the distribution of fluid is stabilized.

Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, a number of so called honeycomb-shaped, recessed portions 65 are formed on the upstream side face 61 a which is a bottom face of the recessed portion 64 of the lead-out side element 60. The abutment face 52 c of the guide member 52 of the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 is planar, and thus, even if a honeycomb recessed portion (irregular shape) is present on the abutment face at the side of the lead-out side element 60, fluid is neither diverted nor merged.

However, if a recessed portion 65 is present on the bottom face of the recessed portion 64 of the lead-out side element 60, a reforming effect due to a shear force or that due to a mechanical cavitation or the like can be imparted to the fluid in the collecting flow path 26, flowing in the vicinity of an opening of the recessed portion 65.

For example, by employing the lead-out side element 60 provided with a plurality of recessed portions 65 on a surface facing to the collecting flow path 26, a local high-pressure portion or a local low-pressure portion can be generated in the collecting flow path 26 and in the fluid flowing in the vicinity of an opening of the recessed portion 65.

When a local low-pressure portion (for example, a negative pressure portion such as a vacuum portion) is generated in the fluid, a so called foaming phenomenon in which air bubbles are generated in liquid occurs; and there occurs a so called cavitation phenomenon in which: fine air bubbles expands (collapses); and the generated air (air bubbles) break(s) (disappear(s)).

Miniaturization of the substances targeted for reforming is performed by means of a force generated when this cavitation occurs, and fluid reforming is accelerated.

However, as described above, by employing the lead-out side element 60 provided with the recessed portion 65 on the surface facing to the collecting flow path 26, a local high-pressure portion or a local low-pressure portion can be generated in fluid only in place where the opening of the recessed portion 65 of the lead-out side element 60 faces.

In addition, the flow path sectional area is stabilized at another portion, for example, in a region in which fluid leakage is prone to occur, such as the outflow path 24 a or the vicinity of the inflow path 24 b disposed in opposite thereto (see FIG. 28), and a state in which the generation of the local high-pressure portion is prevented is maintained. Therefore, a situation in which fluid leakage is prone to occur is prevented.

As the lead-out side element 60, the ones of various types can be employed without being limitative to the embodiment in which a plurality of recessed portions have been formed on the bottom face of the recessed portion 64. For example, there may be the ones in which: a plurality of protrusive portions are formed on the bottom face of the recessed portion 64 in place of the recessed portion; both of a plurality of recessed portions and protrusive portions are formed on the bottom of the recessed portion 64; and further, the bottom face of the recessed portion 64 is planar.

Fluid Reformer 11C of the Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fluid reformer 11C of the fourth embodiment will be described referring to FIGS. 32 to 34. The same constituent elements of the abovementioned fluid reformer 11B of the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, a duplicate description of which is omitted here.

Unlike the fluid reformer 11B of the third embodiment, in the fluid reformer 11C of the fourth embodiment, the collecting-flow-path forming element 50 is not provided as a constituent element of the reforming unit set up in the casing main body 21.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, a reforming unit 24C of the fluid reformer 11C of the fourth embodiment is provided with a pair of spacers 100, 100 and a lead-out side element 60 in place of the first reforming element 30, the second reforming element 40, and the collecting-flow-path forming element 50, of the third embodiment.

The spacers 100 each are formed in a cylindrical shape having opening ends at both ends so that: an interval between the second reforming element 40 and the lead-out side element 60, i.e., a flow path depth Z (see FIG. 32) of the collecting flow path 26 which is a disk-shaped space formed between the elements 40 and 60 can be appropriately set according to the size of a cylindrical length of the spacer 100; and a change of the flow path depth Z of the collecting flow path 26 can be readily performed by replacing the current spacer with another spacer 100 having an appropriate cylindrical length.

In addition, the reforming unit 24C is assembled in the states shown in FIGS. 32 to 34.

That is, a state in which the first reforming element 30, the second reforming element 40, and the lead-out side element 60 are assembled with each other is identical to that of the third embodiment; and these elements are assembled by tightening them with screws 54, 54 while through holes 36, 36 of the first reforming element 30, screw holes 43, 43 of the second reforming element 40, opening ends of the pair of spacers 100, 100, and screw holes 66, 66 of the lead-out side element 60 are positionally aligned with each other.

If the spacers 100, 100 are assembled after interposed between the second reforming element 40 and the lead-out side element 60 as described above, an inflow path 24 b (see FIG. 32) which is a ring-shaped gap is formed all around the outer circumference between the second reforming element 40 and the lead-out side element 60.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 32, the inflow path 24 b for the collecting flow path 26, which is a ring-shaped opening, is disposed at a position opposite to the outflow path 24 a. Namely, the fluid having flown out of the outflow path 24 a formed on the outer circumferential edge of the second reforming element 40 directly flows from the ring-shaped inflow path 24 b to the collecting flow path 26 formed between the second reforming element 40 and the lead-out side element 60.

With such a structure, a so called dead space in which fluid is prone to stay partway of a flow path for fluid is eliminated. If the dead space is present, fluid is prone to stay in that space, and dispersion in quality of the fluid reforming treatment (the quality such as the size of generated air bubbles, for example) is prone to occur.

In this point of view, in the embodiment, a dead space is minimized so that: the occurrence of the disadvantage is restrained to the minimum; uniform reforming treatment can be applied depending upon the type of fluid; and more uniformly sized air bubbles can be generated. Moreover, in the fluid reformer 11C, a simple structure and low cost can be achieved in comparison with that of the third embodiment.

As described previously, the collecting flow path 26 (see FIG. 27) is formed between the second reforming element 40 and the lead-out side element 60 so that fluid flows from the inflow path 24 b to the collecting flow path 26.

In the collecting flow path 26, the fluid flows from the outer circumferential side to the center side along the rear face of the second reforming element 40; flows into a fluid discharge port 63 (see FIG. 27); and flows into the flow inlet 32 of the next reforming unit 24C, or alternatively, is led out from the fluid lead-out port 23 a of the capping member 23 of a casing.

At this time, owing to the employment of the lead-out side element 60 provided with a plurality of recessed portions 65 on a surface facing to the collecting flow path 26, a local high-pressure portion or a local low-pressure portion can be generated in the collecting flow path 26 and in the fluid flowing in the vicinity of an opening of the recessed portion 65.

When a local low-pressure portion (for example, a negative pressure portion such as a vacuum portion) is generated in the abovementioned fluid, a so called foaming phenomenon occurs in which air bubbles are generated in liquid; and there occurs a so called cavitation phenomenon in which; fine air bubbles expands (collapses); and the generated air (air bubbles) break(s) (disappear(s)).

Miniaturization of substances targeted for reforming is performed by means of a force generated when this cavitation occurs, and fluid reforming is accelerated.

Exemplary Modification of Collecting-Flow-Path Forming Element 50

FIGS. 35A to 35C each show an exemplary modification of a collecting-flow-path forming element 50, wherein a complex flow generating members 102 as a number of complex flow generating means are protruded after integrally molded on a downstream side face 51 b of an element main body 51, and a collecting flow path 26 is formed between the complex flow generating member 102 adjacent to each other.

The complex flow generating member 102 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, as shown in FIGS. 35A to 35C, in the exemplary modification; and a circumferential face serving as a contact face with fluid is formed in the shapes of a protrusive face 103 and a recessed face 104. The contact face with fluid is formed to be large in size. In addition, a plurality of the complex flow generating members 102 having protrusive faces 103 (eight pieces in the embodiment) are disposed at intervals in the circumferential direction at the circumferential edge part of the element main body 51 at intervals in the circumferential direction at the circumferential edge part of the element main body 51. Further, a plurality of the complex generating members 102 having recessed faces 104 (four pieces in the embodiment) are disposed at positions close to the center part between the complex flow generating members 102, 102 adjacent to each other. Reference numeral 105 designates an abutment face.

In this manner, the reforming fluid flowing from the outflow path 24 a into the collecting flow path 26 flows along these protrusive face 103 and recessed face 104; and is formed as a turbulent flow while repeating a complex flow/a pulsating flow so as to flow into the flow inlet 32 and the fluid discharge port 63 of the reforming units adjacent to each other at the downstream side.

The complex flow is a flow of fluid flowing while scrubbing a face of an object, and the complex flow generating means is a protrusive matter having a face for generating the complex flow. In addition, the pulsating flow is the one wherein the flow path sectional area intermittently varies.

Therefore, the complex flow generating member 102 is disposed in the collecting flow path 26, whereby when fluid passes through the inside of the collecting flow path 26, the fluid is formed while the complex flow/pulsating flow is repeated by the presence of the complex flow generating member 102; and a local high-pressure portion or a local low-pressure portion is generated in the fluid.

When a local low-pressure portion (for example, a negative pressure portion such as a vacuum portion) is generated in the fluid, a so called foaming phenomenon occurs in which air bubbles are generated in liquid; and there occurs a so called cavitation phenomenon in which; fine air bubbles expands (collapses); and the generated air (air bubbles) break(s) (disappear(s)).

Miniaturization of substances targeted for reforming is performed by means of a force generated when this cavitation occurs, and fluid reforming is accelerated.

As described previously, if a fluid high-pressure portion is locally generated at or near a position at which the leakage of fluid is prone to occur, the leakage of the fluid is prone to occur, and thus, in that sense, it is not preferable that the local high-pressure portion be generated.

However, as described above, the complex flow generating member 102 is disposed in the collecting flow path 26, whereby, among the flow paths from the flow outlet to the discharge port, a local high-pressure portion or a local low-pressure portion can be generated in the fluid at only a site at which the complex flow generating member 102 is disposed; and fluid reforming is accelerated.

In addition, while, in the embodiment, both of the complex flow generating members 102 having the protrusive and recessed faces 103 and 104 are provided in the element main body 51, only either one of these members 102 can be provided in the element main body 51. The shape of the complex flow generating means may be any shape of forming a complex flow, and is not limitative to the substantially cylindrical shape of the embodiment.

While the several embodiments of the fluid reformers have been described so far, a variety of alterations can occur without being limitative thereto.

For example, while, in the fluid reformers of each of the embodiments, openings of the recessed portions 35, 41 were formed like regular hexagons, they may be shaped like triangles such as regular triangles, rectangles such as squares, or octagons such as regular octagons, for example, without being limitative thereto.

In addition, among the fluid reformers employed in the above-described embodiments, the fluid reformers 11B, 11C of the third and fourth embodiments are provided with sealing packing, whereas a sealing member may be set up in the fluid reformers 11, 11A of the first and second embodiments. If the sealing member is set up, sealing properties are enhanced more remarkably, and the occurrence of fluid leakage or the like is reliably prevented.

In addition, while, in the above-described embodiments, a so called dead space is minimized in the fluid reformer 11B, 11C of the third and fourth embodiments shown in FIGS. 28 and 32, respectively, there may be provided a structure of eliminating the dead space in the fluid reformer 11, 11A of the first and second embodiments to the possible extent as well.

For example, there can be proposed a structure such that, by further increasing the thickness (a thickness in the axis line) of the circumferential wall portion 33 of the first reforming element, an end face which is a downstream side face (a face at the fluid lead out port side) of the circumferential wall portion 33 is caused to abut against an upstream side face (a face at the fluid feed port side) of the first reforming element of another reforming unit 24 which is disposed at the downstream side.

Fluid Reformer 11D as an Exemplary Modification of the First Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 36, a fluid reformer 11D is provided as an exemplary modification in which a smooth face is formed by rounding a rectangular part of a portion coming into contact with a treatment fluid, among the elements configuring the reforming unit 24 of the first embodiment. For example, as shown in a partially exploded view of FIG. 36, a rectangular part of an opening end of a recessed portion 35 which is formed in a recessed portion 34 of the first reforming element 30 is rounded and smoothened.

In addition, the corner part of the portion coming into contact with the treatment fluid may be formed as a rounded smooth face. For example, as shown in the partially exploded view of the FIG. 36, a corner part of a bottom face of the recessed portion 35 which is formed in the recessed portion 34 of the first reforming element 30 may be rounded and smoothened.

By means of the rounding and smoothening, a flow path resistance is reduced, and the amount of treatment per a unit time can be increased.

In addition, by rounding a corner part, a dead space is reduced; the fluid can be reformed more uniformly; and the fluid reforming treatment performance can be enhanced. For example, air bubbles of more uniform sizes can be generated, or alternatively, dispersion as to the size of generated air bubbles can be reduced more remarkably.

While the fluid reformer 11D of FIG. 36 altered the fluid reformer 11 of the first embodiment, the fluid reformers 11A, 11B, 11C of the second, third, and fourth embodiments may be altered similarly.

Fluid Reformer 11E as Another Exemplary Modification of the First Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 37, a fluid reformer 11E is configured so that a temperature control unit 70 is set up in a fluid reformer 11. The temperature control unit 70 is provided with: a jacket section 71 which covers the outer circumference of a casing main body 21 of the fluid reformer 11E; a water feed pipe 72 which is connected to a water feed pump, although not shown, for feeding fluid (water in this example) for temperature control into the jacket section 71; and a drain pipe 73 for leading out water from the jacket section 71.

The jacket section 71 is adapted to assemble and align divisional jacket members 71 a, 71 a that are formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, so as to be removably mounted on the casing main body 21. In addition, packing 74 is mounted on a contact portion with the casing main body 21 of the jacket section 71, so as to prevent the leakage of water for temperature control.

As long as the temperature control unit 70 is set up, when an attempt is made to prevent a temperature rise of the fluid targeted for fluid reforming treatment (gas-liquid reforming fluid targeted for treatment of air bubbles, for example), the temperature rise of the treatment fluid can be readily prevented by feeding cooling water to a jacket. While the fluid reformer 11E of FIG. 37 altered the fluid reformer 11 of the first embodiment, the fluid reformers 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D of other embodiments may be altered similarly.

In addition, while the temperature control unit 70 shown in FIG. 37 performs temperature control of coolant or the like, by employing coolant such as cooling water, a variety of methods, such as a method of providing a heat radiation fin in casing, for example, can be proposed without being limitative thereto.

Effects Pertinent to the Basic Configuration of Fluid Reformers

The effects pertinent to the basic configuration of the fluid reformers configured as described above will be described below.

That is, in the fluid reformers, a gap-shaped opening is formed as a flow outlet between the outer circumference edge of the second reforming element and the first reforming element. Namely, a flow outlet all around the outer circumference of the second reforming element is formed along the outer circumferential edge of the second reforming element. In addition, the size of an opposite face of the second reforming element is formed to be smaller than that of an opposite side face of the first reforming element, and the opening is positioned more inward than the outer circumferential edge of the first reforming element. Namely, the opening as the flow outlet is formed on a face at the downstream side of a reforming unit consisting of both of the reforming elements, i.e., on a face opposite to the face on which the flow inlet is formed. With such configuration, a liquid reforming flow path between the reforming elements directly communicates with the flow path at the downstream side of both of the reforming elements, via the flow outlet; and further, flow outlets exist all around there, so that dispersion in fluid pressure is hardly prone to occur, resulting in a lowered flow path resistance. If the flow path resistance is lowered, the amount of treatment can be increased, without need to increase the pressure of fluid to be fed; and the amount of treatment can be increased, preventing the fluid leakage from a seal section.

In particular, according to the fluid reformers, air bubbles of 500 nm or less in average particle size can be generated in the fluid to be treated; and air bubbles of 50 nm or less in average particle size can also be generated in the fluid to be treated. At this time, the fluid to be treated can be reformed. For example, assuming that water generally does not exist as a single molecule, and a cluster made of a number of molecules is formed, if the water is treated by means of the fluid reformers, reformed water which is smaller in cluster size can be formed. The reformed water that is smaller in cluster size is prone to be uniformly reformed with a fuel oil, via very fine air bubbles whose diameter is on the nano-level (less than 1 micron).

Further, the following effects can also be attained.

(1) A pressure loss is lowered in a fuel reformer. If the pressure loss is lowered, an output of treatment fluid feeding means such as a pump can be reduced when the treatment fluid of the same amount is fed. (2) As long as the same output is maintained, treatment capability increases. (3) Although the lowered pressure loss is considered to be a cause, the noise generated due to fluid reforming treatment is reduced; quietness is enhanced; and vibration is reduced. (4) if the noise or vibration at the time of fluid reforming treatment is reduced, the fluid reformers can be set up in location requiring quietness or the like, such as hospital. (5) Since the pressure loss is reduced, fluid reforming treatment can be performed at a low pressure, and a seal member such as packing is not needed to be used. In this manner, cumbersomeness such as replacement of seal members is eliminated, achieving easy maintenance.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An apparatus for the production of a reformed fuel oil, according to the present invention, is connected in communication with combustion equipment such as a burner, and the reformed fuel oil is fed to the combustion equipment, whereby combustion efficiency of the combustion equipment can be enhanced. 

1. A reformed fuel oil obtained by: providing a primary reform treatment of allowing a fuel oil to flow by means of centrifugal force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating diversion and convergence in a direction crossing a direction of the flow; providing a secondary reform treatment of performing reform-treatment by means of a fluid reformer allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed to flow by means of a pressure-feed force and allowing the fuel oil to flow in a meandering state while repeating diversion and convergence in a direction crossing a direction of the flow, wherein the fluid reformer disposes a disk-shaped second reforming element to be opposed to a disk-shaped first reforming element forming a flow inlet of a fluid at a center part and configures a reforming unit forming a reforming flow path for flowing and reforming the fluid in-flow from the flow inlet in a radiation direction between the reforming elements; in a casing main body formed in a cylindrical shape, the reforming unit is disposed in plurality at intervals in an axial direction thereof, forming a space for shaping a flow path by the adjacent reforming units and the casing main body; in the space for shaping the flow path, disk-shaped collecting-flow-path forming elements are disposed so that: the fluid having passed through the reforming flow path outflows substantially equally from a full circumference of a flow outlet opening like a ring; and a collecting-flow path flowing and gathering to an axial core side of the casing main body is formed; in the collecting-flow-path forming element, an expansive guide body stabilizing a flow-path sectional area is formed at one side face of the element main body, and the guide member is formed in a substantially fan-like, planar shape from an outer circumferential arc face formed on an arc face of a curvature which is identical to that of an outer circumferential edge of the element main body, a pair of side faces which are connected to each other to be extended from both ends of the outer circumferential arc face to a center side of the element main body, and an abutment face formed in a plane which is in parallel to the element main body; and the guide member is disposed in plurality at equal intervals at a circumferential part of the element main body in a circumferential direction thereof, and is formed so that: an outer circumferential arc face of each of the guide members is flush with an outer circumferential end face of the collecting-flow-path forming element and an outer circumferential end face of the second reforming element; and the side faces opposed to each other, of the adjacent guide members, are in parallel to each other in a circumferential direction, allowing a groove portion width of a groove portion, which is formed of side face of the adjacent guide members and a rear face of the element main body, to be substantially equal to another one from a circumferential side to a center side, of the collecting-flow-path forming element.
 2. The reformed fuel oil set forth in claim 1, wherein the secondary reform treatment comprises adding a slight amount of air to the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed.
 3. A process for producing reformed fuel oil, comprising: a primary reform treatment step of performing reform treatment of allowing a fuel oil to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a centrifugal force; and a secondary reform treatment step, by means of the fluid reformer set forth in claim 1, of performing reform treatment of allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed in the primary reform treatment step, to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a pressure-feed force.
 4. The process for producing reformed fuel oil, as set forth in claim 3, wherein a slight-amount-of-air feed step of feeding a slight amount of air is provided prior to the secondary reform treatment step.
 5. An apparatus for producing reformed fuel oil, comprising: a first reform treatment section of performing reform treatment of allowing a fuel oil to flow by means of centrifugal force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the flow; and a secondary reform treatment section, which is the fluid reformer set forth in claim 1, of performing reform treatment of allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed in the primary reform treatment section, to flow by means of a pressure-feed force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the flow.
 6. An apparatus for producing reformed fuel oil, comprising a primary reform treatment section, a secondary treatment section, and an air means feed section between the primary reform treatment section and the secondary treatment section.
 7. A reformed fuel oil obtained by: providing a primary reform treatment of allowing a fuel oil to flow by means of centrifugal force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating diversion and convergence in a direction crossing a direction of the flow; providing a secondary reform treatment of allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed to flow by means of a pressure-feed force and allowing the fuel oil to flow in a meandering state while repeating diversion and convergence in a direction crossing a direction of the flow.
 8. The reformed fuel oil set forth in claim 7, wherein the secondary reform treatment comprises adding a slight amount of air to the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed.
 9. A process for producing reformed fuel oil, comprising: a primary reform treatment step of performing reform treatment of allowing a fuel oil to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a centrifugal force; and a secondary reform treatment step of performing reform treatment of allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed in the primary reform treatment step, to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence by means of a pressure-feed force.
 10. The process for producing reformed fuel oil, as set forth in claim 9, wherein a slight-amount-of-air feed step of feeding a slight amount of air is provided prior to the secondary reform treatment step.
 11. An apparatus for producing reformed fuel oil, comprising: a first reform treatment section of performing reform treatment of allowing a fuel oil to flow by means of centrifugal force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the flow; and a secondary reform treatment section of performing reform treatment of allowing the fuel oil primarily treated to be reformed in the primary reform treatment section, to flow by means of a pressure-feed force and to flow in a meandering state while repeating shear-shaped diversion and compressive confluence in a direction crossing the direction of the flow.
 12. An oil treatment apparatus comprising a disk-shaped reforming element opposed to a disk-shaped first reforming element forming a flow inlet of a fluid at a center part and configures a reforming unit forming a reforming flow path for flowing and reforming the fluid in-flow from the flow inlet in a radiation direction between the reforming elements; in a casing main body formed in a cylindrical shape, the reforming unit is disposed in plurality at intervals in an axial direction thereof, forming a space for shaping a flow path by the adjacent reforming units and the casing main body; in the space for shaping the flow path, disk-shaped collecting-flow-path forming elements are disposed so that: the fluid having passed through the reforming flow path outflows substantially equally from a full circumference of a flow outlet opening like a ring; and a collecting-flow path flowing and gathering to an axial core side of the casing main body is formed; in the collecting-flow-path forming element, an expansive guide body stabilizing a flow-path sectional area is formed at one side face of the element main body, and the guide member is formed in a substantially fan-like, planar shape from an outer circumferential arc face formed on an arc face of a curvature which is identical to that of an outer circumferential edge of the element main body, a pair of side faces which are connected to each other to be extended from both ends of the outer circumferential arc face to a center side of the element main body, and an abutment face formed in a plane which is in parallel to the element main body; and the guide member is disposed in plurality at equal intervals at a circumferential part of the element main body in a circumferential direction thereof, and is formed so that: an outer circumferential arc face of each of the guide members is flush with an outer circumferential end face of the collecting-flow-path forming element and an outer circumferential end face of the second reforming element; and the side faces opposed to each other, of the adjacent guide members, are in parallel to each other in a circumferential direction, allowing a groove portion width of a groove portion, which is formed of side face of the adjacent guide members and a rear face of the element main body, to be substantially equal to another one from a circumferential side to a center side, of the collecting-flow-path forming element. 